Biography
Nikita is a PhD researcher working within the Earth Systems Change research group of iCRAG. Nikita graduated with a MSc in Geology from the Antarctic Research Centre at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in 2019, where her research investigated the ice dynamics and oceanic response of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to orbital forcing during the early Pliocene. Nikita then worked in the Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory at Te Pū Ao—GNS Science in Wellington before starting her PhD at UCD in 2023 under the supervision of Dr. Weimu Xu.
Earth’s climate is a balance between the release of atmospheric CO2 and the storage of atmospheric carbon during the weathering of rocks; however the rate and magnitude of these feedback processes are poorly understood. During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (~55 million years ago) a massive release in CO2 – similar in magnitude expected to be release by the burning of fossil fuels – resulted in intense climatic warming, which in turn likely intensified the hydrological cycle and increased weathering. This research will constrain these feedback processes that control the carbon cycle and improve our understanding of the effects of greenhouse gases on global climate.
Role
- Postgraduate Researcher
Institution
- UCD
Research Area
- Earth Science in Society
Expertise
- Climate and Environment
